Step-ladder.



J. B. ROBERTSON.

STEP LADDER. I APPLICATION FILED was, 1908.

909,825. Patentgd Jan. 12, 1909.

T Vifnesses: 5 I rzuenzor/ W W m MAMA UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMESB. ROBERTSON, OF BUSHNELL, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DAVIDF. CHIDESTER, OF BUSHNELL, ILLINOIS.

STEP-LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented .Tan. 12, 1909.

Application filed February 3, 1908. Serial N 0. 413,933.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES B. ROBERTSON, citizen of the United States,residing at Bushnell, in the county of McDonough and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to step-ladders, and the especial object of theimprovements which form the subject matter of this application, is toprovide a step-ladder in which the top shelf or platform is providedwith a reversible extension whereby paintbuckets, water pails, tools andother devices can be conveniently supported on either side of theladder; and to further provide for folding said extension against theladder when not in use.

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this application, Ihave shown a form of step ladder in which there are two pairs ofuprights or side members, each having steps secured thereto in the usualmanner, but it will be understood that the top shelves or platformswhich constitute the essence of our invention may be applied to any ofthe well known forms of step ladders in common use.

In said drawing :-Figure l is a side elevation of a step ladder equippedwith my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the ladder shown in Fig.1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the platform extension detached from theladder, and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the platform extensionon the opposite side from that shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the details of the drawing 5 and 6, respectively representthe uprights of the ladder with which are connected the steps 12 in theusual manner. These members are connected with the foldable braces 7,and the uprights 6 are hingedly connected with the under side of thefixed platform 9. Side-boards 8 are rigidly connected with the members 5and also with the platform, and the ends of these boards extend beyondthe edges of the platform, but the ends of the platform overhang theside pieces.

10 represents the platform extension member which has rigidly secured toits lower'side, at each end, a cleat 10 the ends of which extend beyondthe edges of the member to which they are attached. This extensionmember is pivotally mounted on the bent iron rod 11, which has its endsflattened as at 11* and through the ends are holes to receive the boltsor screws by which the rod is pivotally connected with the ends of theplatform 9. A groove is preferably formed in the under side of theextension 10 to receive the portion of the rod on Which the latterrests, though this is not essential.

lVhen constructed as described, the extension being pivoted on the rod,and the latter being pivoted on the platform, it will be apparent thatthe extension may be arranged on either side of the platform, and thatthe ends of the cleats will project under the adjacent portion of theplatform and thus serve to prevent the extension from turning on itslongitudinal axis represented by the rod.

l/Vhen the use of the extension is not desired, it may be folded againstthe uprights as indicated in Fig. 1.

It will be apparent that the extension may be applied to various formsand styles of ladders having top platforms, hence I desire it understoodthat the ladder shown in connection with my extension forms no necessarypart of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In combination with a ladder having a platform andside members extending beyond the edges of the platform, an extensionmember supported upon the extending ends of the side members, meanspivotally connecting said member with said platform, and means on saidextension member for engaging under the edges of the platform andlimiting the movement of said extension, said extension also adapted tobe folded against the uprights of the ladder.

2. In combination with a ladder having a top platform and side membersextending beyond the edges of the platform, an extension membersupported upon the extending ends of the side members, a rod pivotallyconnected with said platform and with said extension, and means on saidextension for engaging under the edges of the platform and limiting themovement of the extension, said extension also adapted to be foldedagainst the uprights of the ladder.

3. In combination with a ladder having a top platform and side boardsextending beyond the edges of the platform, an extension membersupported upon the extending ends of the side members, a rod pivotallyconnected with said platform and with said extension, and cleats securedto said extension and adapted to engage the lower side of the platformwhen the extension is in operative position.

4. In combination with a ladder having a top platform and side membershaving their ends'extendim beyond the front and rear edges of theplatform, an extension member pivotally supported on said platform and10 adapted to form an'extension at the front or rear edges of theplatform also adapted to be folded against'the uprights of the ladderinto inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

JAMES B. ROBERTSON.

Witnesses: V

GEO. \V. COLE, JAS. MCDILL.

